Irans Reza Pahlavi to speak at 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference

US Opposition Leader Reza Pahlavi Addresses CPAC Summit

Reza Pahlavi, the son of former Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas on Saturday. The event marked a significant moment for Pahlavi, who has become a prominent figure in the Iranian diaspora.

Pahlavi urged US President Donald Trump not to cut a deal with Iran and instead seek regime change. He stated that “President Trump is making America great again” and expressed his intention to make Iran great again. The audience responded positively, with some chanting “Long live the king!”

The comments came on the one-month anniversary of the US and Israel’s decision to launch a war against Iran. Since then, at least 1,937 people in Iran have been killed, and tens of thousands more injured.

Pahlavi has gained support from influential figures on the US right, including Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon. However, some analysts warn that the Iranian government is unlikely to collapse and could emerge from the conflict more hardened than before.

The event highlighted divisions within the US right over the war in Iran. Polls suggest that Republicans generally support the attack, while a majority of voters across parties oppose it. Younger activists have expressed frustration with what they see as a betrayal of Trump’s promise to avoid military adventures overseas.

Pahlavi has received a standing ovation from the crowd and has become a central figure in the Iranian diaspora. His remarks were met with applause, but also raised questions about his potential role in Iran if the current government were to collapse.

Source: Al Jazeera